New Side of Captain

"I am Maryann Ellis, and I don't want you to take offense to what I said earlier young man. That Captain is a good woman. I prefer the way HER men bow to others than the new way that has taken favor of the young people. They look like storks trying to lay eggs when they bow." Maryann's mouth twists in obvious distaste before she shakes her head and smiles softly up to Draven. "Well, you know who I am, now please tell me who you are."
Draven introduces himself to Maryann and doesn't see the Captain shaking her head slowly at the curious look the elder woman had shot towards her. This city being a frequent stop for the Black Calypso she knew every citizen and they knew her and her sisters and men. Many of the men had families in the city with children and siblings. Maryann, taking the Captains' hint, focuses on Draven. "….So, as you can see, I have need of only the best baker to help me with the two cakes that I have great plans for." he finishes speaking as the Captain's attention is brought back to the present situation.
Maryann nods and looks up at Draven. "I can bake you two cakes, but how will you pay for them? Barter? Trade?"
Draven takes out his notebook and quickly turns several pages before landing on one that he was looking for. "Well, we'll hash that out in a moment. Can you take this picture and place it on the top of one of those cakes? It's…well it's very special and I would like this picture on the top if possible."
Maryann sighs before a flash of a money pouch from the Captain's waist catches her eye and she nods mentally, knowing that whatever the cost the Captain would cover the expense, and looks at the picture. The artwork that she sees causes her eyes to widen in surprise as she nods absently. "I can put that picture on top of the cake if you would like, but to get such details I would need the picture to remain with me and it would take three days to get both cakes ready to your specifications if I take time to rest, eat, and relax."
Draven rips out the page and hands it to Maryann before frowning slightly, "Well, I don't want you to work yourself to sickness. Take the time you need, so long as I can have both cakes within the next seven days then I don't see why you can't take care of yourself. I'll make sure you have compensation … somehow."
Maryann brightens as she grins widely at Draven. "Oh I know how you can help me young man. You and your friend there for that matter." Draven looks down in surprise at the woman while the Captain watches curiously at the interaction between the two people standing in front of her. Maryann continues, "My granddaughter's getting married this evening, and I've made the cake for the after-ceremony, but it's too big for me to transport by myself. The two of you could take it to the church for me and I'll bake both cakes for no charge if you also agree to draw some of the scenes from the ceremony for me and my granddaughter to keep as mementos of this special day."
Draven chuckles and looks back at the Captain who nods her agreement. "Very well, we'll take the cake to the church and stay to draw some scenes of the wedding for you and your granddaughter if that is the payment you require to make the cakes."
Maryann pats his elbow while smiling at him and then turning away. "Follow me young man, you both will need to leave now if you are going to get to the church before the ceremony starts so you can find a good place to sit and draw."
Draven and the Captain follow Maryann to the kitchen and stop in wonderment at the large tower of cake that sits on the worktable. Towers of frosted cake rise from the base that looks to have been dusted with small flowers and leaves. Closer inspection shows that the decorations cover a base of cake and each flower and leaf was handmade from stale frosting that had become hardened but still edible. The towers rose, four towers, two in front and two in back, towered over their heads and tapering to a rounded top. Delicate staircases connected the towers until they came together in the center. In the middle of the cake was a depression, which Maryann explains is for the bowl of spices meant to increase fertility and faith for the couple. Assuring them both that the cake wasn't as heavy as it appeared, Maryann opens the large doors, doors that were wide enough for four people to walk through, and watches as Draven takes one end of the thin table that the cake rested on and the Captain takes the other end.